Is it just me or did Blizzard really phone it in with the Witchwood launch?
They did the bare minimum this time - a launch video (which, granted, was longer than usual), the usual staggered community reveals, and the final stream and card dump. That's it.
There are no special videos in the lead up to the launch (like they did for Ungoro and Frozen Throne), no blog posts introducing the characters and new mechanics, no option for players to vote on which cards to be revealed first, and barely any information or discussion about the new single-player mode, Monster Run (in contrast, Dungeon Run was endlessly hyped).
So what's up? Did they downsize their marketing department? This must be the most lackluster launch in recent memory - and it's for an important expansion that would kickstart the new year!
A lot of people find that stuff like voting on the cards and all the other stuff that draws it out just makes the thing last too long a lot of the time.
Honestly, I've felt this was the most straightforward release yet, focusing on the cards and not spending a lot of time on filler content in-between reveals. I was suprised at the lack of flavor content until today, but I can't say I feel shorthanded here.
Let's look at what happened compared to the last few reveals:
No botched card reveals (remember Frozen Throne's massive day 1 failure with Ticking Abomination and then... nothing else for hours?), everything released on-time, and we even got an early leak, not to mention surprise card reveals on the final stream day from Forbes.
A reasonable reveal schedule. Un'Goro (what may be my favorite expansion yet) had an agonizingly slow reveal filled with lots of filler content over way too long of a time period. I don't know about you, but I was dying for cards and all I got was another goofy video about an exploration into the realm these cards were based on that I couldn't see yet!
Thanks to that shorter reveal schedule, we got to enjoy a severe lack of long-term hype over a single card. Poor Deathstalker Rexxar got absolutely hated on after two weeks of hunter players lauding AOE and a value-centric hero power. Nothing is worse than resorting to picking apart what little we're given than a steady stream of cards every day to keep us excited over the possibilities, not agonizing over the disappointments (there's plenty of time for that in a few weeks when we've all had time to play with the cards). That's a sign of boredom, and Blizzard wants us excited about expansion reveals, not bored and frustrated. This was the way to do it.
Blizzard reps explaining most of the card functions that were a bit confusing to some right away (such as Donais explaining Toxmonger's synergy with Elven Archer).
I've personally found this reveal exciting because I didn't feel like I was being fed celery while I wait after being told I was going to get buffalo wings soon. This was all buffalo wings to me.
That being said, if the flavor posts and content is something you really tie into your Hearthstone experience, I can see how this was a disappointing reveal season. Hopefully the new meta makes that up to you tomorrow.
Best of luck out there!
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Rage quitting: the best way to ensure your opponent knows they beat a giant baby.
Yeah, they pretty much abandoned the whole "vote to see the card" thing when people actually failed to reach the vote quota for the reveal of Kruul during the Gadgetzan lead up, so they couldn't show him.
Either they set the vote requirement way too high, or they overestimated how many people would vote (And this was right after the 2016 election so I think a lot of people were burned out on voting at the time), but they didn't reach the quota even after extending the time limit.
As for the gradual video reveal, the one for Un'goro was us suffering through a series of unfunny skits, in order to see the reveal of.... Galvadon. You really think Galvadaon was worth it? And I say that as someone who likes Galvadon.
Honestly I prefer the new system: Just show us the damn cards on a timer so we can see them and get hyped.
Blizzard doesn't really do many things half-ass or lazily, I just think people got their hopes up because they are expecting almost every new expansion to have all the op cards they are looking for from the last expansion. Witchwood cards might seem lackluster right now but it's a little preemptive to completely write this expansion off considering it has yet to be released. Once decks are made and people can really play with them it's too early to know.
Just you. I've been very satisfied all throughout. The pre-order deal is great, the reveals were decently spread out and the dump video was fun. I'm also pleasantly surprised with the new cards and I really can't wait. How is it possible that some of you guys can always nitpick and find something miniscule to complain about? I just don't get it. So annoying.
A lot of people find that stuff like voting on the cards and all the other stuff that draws it out just makes the thing last too long a lot of the time.
No it doesn't. Blizzard has always announced expansions about one month before release. You have to wait the same amount of time regardless of how many promotional activities or content are provided in the meantime.
Edit: I agree that the pace of reveals has been fine, but there's no reason why they can't keep to the same reveal schedule AND release other flavour content in between. If you are not into those, you can tune out. But it is definitely appreciated by other players, especially non-WOW players like me, who have no idea who these new characters are and why you have royalty, militia, haunted wood stuff, dragons and a time-tinker within the same expansion.
Blizzard doesn't really do many things half-ass or lazily, I just think people got their hopes up because they are expecting almost every new expansion to have all the op cards they are looking for from the last expansion. Witchwood cards might seem lackluster right now but it's a little preemptive to completely write this expansion off considering it has yet to be released. Once decks are made and people can really play with them it's too early to know.
If you actually read my OP you would realise that I said nothing at all about the quality of the cards. I am talking about the lack of promotional content in the leadup to the launch.
I've personally found this reveal exciting because I didn't feel like I was being fed celery while I wait after being told I was going to get buffalo wings soon. This was all buffalo wings to me.
I don't know much about the buffalo, but I do know that they DO NOT have wings. (Fish have fingers though, covered in breadcrumbs).
It's too bad that the Shaman legendary got leaked because that would have caused the live stream to go nuts. Kinda feel like they were trying to keep quiet for that "last blow", but someone screwed up.
Anyway, seemed fine to me, some of the previous reveals were too much for too long of a time. They're just cards.
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Is it just me or did Blizzard really phone it in with the Witchwood launch?
They did the bare minimum this time - a launch video (which, granted, was longer than usual), the usual staggered community reveals, and the final stream and card dump. That's it.
There are no special videos in the lead up to the launch (like they did for Ungoro and Frozen Throne), no blog posts introducing the characters and new mechanics, no option for players to vote on which cards to be revealed first, and barely any information or discussion about the new single-player mode, Monster Run (in contrast, Dungeon Run was endlessly hyped).
So what's up? Did they downsize their marketing department? This must be the most lackluster launch in recent memory - and it's for an important expansion that would kickstart the new year!
P/S: Apparently they've just published the first blog post on the expansion (apart from the announcement itself): https://playhearthstone.com/en-us/blog/21656013/the-witchwood-mysterious-missives-part-1. To only publish "Part 1" one day before the expansion is due to hit is really dropping the ball, don't you think?
A lot of people find that stuff like voting on the cards and all the other stuff that draws it out just makes the thing last too long a lot of the time.
Honestly, I've felt this was the most straightforward release yet, focusing on the cards and not spending a lot of time on filler content in-between reveals. I was suprised at the lack of flavor content until today, but I can't say I feel shorthanded here.
Let's look at what happened compared to the last few reveals:
I've personally found this reveal exciting because I didn't feel like I was being fed celery while I wait after being told I was going to get buffalo wings soon. This was all buffalo wings to me.
That being said, if the flavor posts and content is something you really tie into your Hearthstone experience, I can see how this was a disappointing reveal season. Hopefully the new meta makes that up to you tomorrow.
Best of luck out there!
Rage quitting: the best way to ensure your opponent knows they beat a giant baby.
Yeah, they pretty much abandoned the whole "vote to see the card" thing when people actually failed to reach the vote quota for the reveal of Kruul during the Gadgetzan lead up, so they couldn't show him.
Either they set the vote requirement way too high, or they overestimated how many people would vote (And this was right after the 2016 election so I think a lot of people were burned out on voting at the time), but they didn't reach the quota even after extending the time limit.
As for the gradual video reveal, the one for Un'goro was us suffering through a series of unfunny skits, in order to see the reveal of.... Galvadon. You really think Galvadaon was worth it? And I say that as someone who likes Galvadon.
Honestly I prefer the new system: Just show us the damn cards on a timer so we can see them and get hyped.
Blizzard doesn't really do many things half-ass or lazily, I just think people got their hopes up because they are expecting almost every new expansion to have all the op cards they are looking for from the last expansion. Witchwood cards might seem lackluster right now but it's a little preemptive to completely write this expansion off considering it has yet to be released. Once decks are made and people can really play with them it's too early to know.
Hey, hey... You wanna buy... a funnel cake?
Just you. I've been very satisfied all throughout. The pre-order deal is great, the reveals were decently spread out and the dump video was fun. I'm also pleasantly surprised with the new cards and I really can't wait. How is it possible that some of you guys can always nitpick and find something miniscule to complain about? I just don't get it. So annoying.
If people aren't complaining about Cubelock they are complaining about Witchwood not being everything their hearts desired.
Hey, hey... You wanna buy... a funnel cake?
We also missed one BIG thing - Heartpwn reveal BINGO :/
Rage quitting: the best way to ensure your opponent knows they beat a giant baby.
But they did have a video showing and explaining the new Echo and Rush type cards.
The Blairwitch x Hearthstone video was the best launch video
Hey, hey... You wanna buy... a funnel cake?
Its because theres nothing new really. Even this odd even thing has the same ability as Justicar Trueheart or just Maiden of The Lake.
Not to mention echo or rush. I feel like they also knew that. Its nice to see they know what is and isnt hype thou.
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This was my favorite release because it was fast, content and hype is cool but I rather play the cards.
Also nothing will ever beat the “Kobolds and Catacumbias” promo for LA earlier this month.
Blizzard did a promotion with Dude Perfect. But nothing particular overall.
believe it or not, i'm actually happier when they don't build up the hype that lasts for ages resulting in this eon-long dripfeed nonsense
just release the set, fucks sake :)
(a little exaggerated but still pretty accurate)
Meh, too much hype can cause a backlash.
It's too bad that the Shaman legendary got leaked because that would have caused the live stream to go nuts. Kinda feel like they were trying to keep quiet for that "last blow", but someone screwed up.
Anyway, seemed fine to me, some of the previous reveals were too much for too long of a time. They're just cards.